Coal-separator.



PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905.

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COAL-SEPARATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

Application filed May 11. 1905. Serial No. 260,018.

To (1// 'IlffHJ/Ib it may concern:

Be it known that I, Janus POLLOCK, a citizen oft-he United States, and a resident of \Vilkesbarre, Luzerne county, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coal-Separators, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for separating substances which have different physical properties, such as difference of shape, elasticity, roughness of surface, 620.

Apparatus embodying the invention is particularly applicable to the separation of coal from slate and bone.

1 My improved apparatus consists in a series of inclined plates forming aslideway or chute, the said plates being arranged at an angle to each other horizontally and each having an upturned wall or flange at its outer edge, the said flanges forming an angular wall or flange for the chute, which has a special and important function in the separation of the materials, as will be fully explained hereinafter.

The invention will be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a separating apparatus embodying the invention, parts being broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a detail showing the 1 means for adjusting the several plates constituting the floor of the chute.

In the drawings 1 have illustrated a single chute embodying the invention. As shown, the chute is carried by a central support 10. Extending from this support are arms 11. Arranged about the central support and carricd by the arms are a series of substantially triangular and approximately equilateral plates 12. At the outer edge of each plate is an upturned flange 13, which may be integral with or suitably connected to the plate. The several flanges 13 constitute an angular wall about the chute. The upper edge of each plate is connected to one of the arms 11, and the lower outer corner of each plate rests upon and is preferably connected to the next lower arm 11. The plates are preferably sheet steel having more or less flexibility, and the inner lower corners are adjustable vertically to some extent, due to the flexibility of the plates. I provide adjustable supports for the inner lower corners of the plates, which enables me to increase or decrease the incline of the inner ends of the plates at will to adapt the apparatus to different classes of material. The l of the chute.

preferred form of adjusting means is illustrated in detail in Fig. 3, in which 14: is a bolt having its upper end suitably connected to the plate 12. The bolt passes through the upper edge of the next lower plate and through the su p porting-arm 11, which is provided with an cye15 to receive the bolt. Adjusting-nuts 16 17 are arranged upon the bolt above and below the arm 11, and by means of these nuts the lower inner corner of the plate may be raised or lowered and locked in any desired adjustment.

The coal is supplied to the upper end of the chute by means of a suitable trough or hopper 1S, and the material separated by the chute is preferably discharged upon an inclined board 19, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The board 19 is inclined both longitrulinally and laterally, and the separated materials when discharged on the board take the course of the arrows shown thereon. The operation is as follows: The coal, bone, and slate are delivered to the apparatus by the chute 18. As the material slides down the chute it is subjected to gravity, centrifugal force, and frictional resistance. The pure coal being more elastic than the bone and slate and generally rounder in shape tends to run against the flange 13 by reason of centrifugal force. The slate by reason of its flat surfaces and frictional contact with the chute does not yield to centrifugal force, but travels down the inner ends of the plates, which are preferably adjusted to be steeper than the outer ends. The pieces of combined slate and coal, usually termed bone,- tend to take a middle course. The materials are quite thoroughly mixed on ontering the separating-chute, but they innuediately begin to separate. At each angle in the chute the stream of material is diverted and partially turned over, thus eventually bringing each piece into contact with the fioor When once brought into contact with the chute, the slate clings to it and gradually moves toward the axis of the apparatus. The plates at their inner ends are pre ferably warped downward by the adjusting means to facilitate the discharge of the slate. At each angle in the apparatus the coal strikes against the flange in front of it, being momentarily banked against the flange and then spread out by gravity. This action tends to turn the mass over and over and bring the slate and bone into intimate contact with the plates, whereby they are gradually separated from the coal. -The inclined board or platform 19 tends to further perfect the separation of the materials. The slate will first leave the board as indicated by the short line of arrows. The bone will follow the general course of the intermediate line of arrows, and the coal will take the course indicated by the outer line of arrows. As the material passes down the chute the slate will gradually approach the central column or support, especially if the inner ends of the plates be adjusted steeper than the outer ends. By reason of the partial turning or the alternate massing and spreading of the material as it passes each angle of the outer wall any slate or bone which may be traveling midway ot' the chute Will be gradually shoved toward the center, While the more elastic material will quickly run to the outside if temporarily moved to the center by this turning or spreading action.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A separating apparatus for coal, ore, &c., comprising a series of substantially triangular and approximately equilateral plates each having at one edge an upturned straight flangesection, each of said flange-sections being arranged at an abrupt angle to its adjacent sections, whereby the direction of the material passing down the chute is abruptly changed at each angle of the flange, for the purpose set forth.

2. A separating apparatus for coal, ore, &c., comprising a series of substantially triangular and approximately equilateral plates arranged radial to a common axis and each having at its outer edge an upturned flange-section, each of said flange-sections being arranged at an abrupt angle to its adjacent sections, whereby the direction of the material passing down the chute is abruptly changed at each angle of the flange, for the purpose set forth.

flanges at their outer edges forming a continuous angular Wall, a portion of each plate being adjustable to vary its inclination.

4:. A separating apparatus for coal, ore, &c. comprising a series of substantially triangular plates arranged about a common axis and collectively constituting an inclined separatingchute, means for varying the inclination of the inner portions of the plates, and upturned flanges at the outer edges of the plates, said flanges constituting a continuous angular marginal Wall. I

5. In a separating apparatus for coal, ore, &c., the combination with a central support having arms, of a series of substantially triangular and approximately equilateral inclined plates supported by said arms, each plate having'an upturned flange, the said upturned flanges forming a continuous angular wall having abrupt meeting angles, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a separating apparatus for coal, ore, &c., comprising a central support, and a series of arms extending radially from said support at different levels, a series of substantially triangular plates having upturned flanges at their outer edges, each of said plates being supported by one of said arms at its upper edge and supported by another arm at its lower outer corner and having its lower inner corner adjustably supported upon the last-mentioned arm.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES POLLOOK.

WVitnesses:

EDMUND E. JONES, WV. J. HANCOCK. 

